The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-30
the let's before you for your action. The crisis
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may be reached tonight.
WILLIAM L. JACKSON.
Judge of the jefferson Circuit Court
Late this afternoon the Mayor issued the fol-
lowing proclamation:
MAYORS OFFICE, LOUISVILLE Ky. April %.
ITO the people of Lonisvle: 1t is my duty
as Mayor TO enioin upon the people the necessity
Tor preserving order and maintaining the mai
esty of the law. A most diabolical crime has
been committed in our city. but the law
must infict the punishment A riot is more
dangerous TO good government than any indi-
viGual criminal Lynch law subverts every
prlnciple of law and attacks our very civiliza-
ucn- therefore, IN the discharge of my dnty,
request every citizen 10 remain at home to-
night and to avoid all gatherings. and caution
parents not to permit their children to in the
streets. as their presence increases the number
and adds to the excitement | must and will
discharge nv duty to uphold the law and to pre-
serve good order and command all riotous
assemblages to disperse.
"P B. REED. Mayor
While the Mayor was inditing the above. the
first movement looking to an organization of the
exasperated people who openly and on all sides
advocate lynching was being made. In response
to notice which had been distributed among
the thousands who rushed to the Jail at the
alarm at midday, given TO order the members Of
the militia to report for duty. about five hundred
men gathered in front Of Leiderkranz Hall, on
Market street. The janitor refused them ad-
mission to the hall, and the police were endeav-
orincto dsperse them, when DR.. Berry, q we'll.
known physician of the city. mounted barrel
on the sidewalk. and addressed them. He said
that since the brutal crime of Patterson and
Turner, of our women and children felt
any security, and that while he generally was
opposed to mob law. there was nothing to be
done in this but to lynch the negro fends.
The law had again and again failed TO punish
murderers They had been sent to the peniten-
tary when they should have been hanged.
The lawyers defended blood-stained crlmi-
nails whom they knew to be guilty If
this crime was not atoned, chance would be
OF idle. worthless and thieving negroes who in
tested the alleys aud slums of the city The
Doctor cheered at frequent intervals
While he was speaking, Major Kennedy, a
leading criminal lawyer. passed through the
crowd. A number Of the men stopped him and
then surrounding him, demanded In an exciting
manner why he defended men whom he knew to
be criminals. The Major commenced to explain
and expostulate declaring that he had never
acted as attorney for man whom he believed to
be guilty He was never more earnes: or eo-
Guen in his life. and breathed heavy sigh Of
relief when he slipped out of that throng. The
Doctor resumed his remarks, and the meeting
adjourned to a hall near by. where the names of
about one hundred citizens whose sentiments
were known, and who, it was believed. would
join any organized effort to lynch the negroes,
we're selected. Other speeches were made. and
it was determined to meet 10 o'clock to-mor-
row at the court house. These men appeared to
be in dead earnest. and trouble probably blood
shed, is looked for tomorrow.